What is Purging?
Purging Definition: The removal of sensitive data from a system or storage device with the intent that the data cannot be reconstructed by any known technique.
Understanding Purging
The removal of sensitive data from a system or storage device with the intent that the data cannot be reconstructed by any known technique. Purging is a media sanitization method that renders data recovery infeasible using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. Its more thorough than clearing and is required for highly sensitive data. Techniques include degaussing for magnetic media and secure overwriting with verification for electronic storage. Purging requirements are specified in standards like NIST SP 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M for media sanitization. Organizations implement purging through validated tools documented procedures verification steps and destruction certificates when handling sensitive media. For example before disposing of servers that contained classified information a government agency might implement a purging process that includes multiple-pass secure wiping with verification followed by degaussing and physical destruction of the storage media with the entire process witnessed and documented with certificates of destruction. Related terms Media sanitization Data destruction Secure erase Degaussing Overwriting Cryptographic erasure Certificate of destruction Data remanence.